Participation in the Bazaar of Science at the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum in Cologne with hands-on stations, workshops and panel discussions
Presentation of the Solar Fuels exhibit, which shows the development and application of climate-neutral fuels
Direct dialogue with researchers on current topics ranging from renewable energies to the role of science for the future
On 15 November, the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum opened its doors for the Bazaar of Science as part of the Wissenschaftsfestival Köln 2025. With hands-on stations, mini-workshops, information stands, a science slam and panel discussions, visitors experienced science in a variety of ways.
Numerous researchers from Cologne provided insights into current topics and showed how science can shape our common future. There was a great deal of interest and the many visitors took full advantage of the event.
Wissenschaftsfestival Köln 2025
The Solar Fuels exhibit shows examples, interactively and schematically, of the paths of the solar fuels hydrogen, ammonia, kerosene and methanol from their production to their application.
The Institute of Future Fuels was also part of the festival and presented the Solar Fuels exhibit. Visitors were able to see how chemical energy sources such as hydrogen, ammonia, kerosene and methanol are produced from sunlight with the help of concentrating solar technology. These solar fuels are CO2-neutral, as they only release as much carbon dioxide as was previously required to produce them.
Research clearly explained
With its research, the DLR Institute of Future Fuels is making an important contribution to the development of sustainable energy technologies. Participation in the Bazaar of Science demonstrates how innovative and vividly DLR's research contributes to developing solutions for the energy transition and making this knowledge accessible to a broad public.
Wissenschaftsfestival Köln 2025
Young visitors also learnt about the production processes for solar-generated fuels.
At the opening on Friday evening, Melanie von der Wiesche, Sitemanager at DLR Cologne-Porz, gave a keynote speech on DLR and its research activities in the region and in North Rhine-Westphalia. Current challenges in energy research were also discussed. This was followed by a panel discussion in which the role of artificial intelligence was one of the topics discussed. The new Mayor of Cologne, Torsten Burmester, opened the event with a welcoming address.
